Sliding window lock

ABSTRACT

A lock mechanism for sliding windows including a body portion which engages one track in the mullion of one of a pair of sliding window members and also including a screw member which advances out of the body and into engagement with a recess in the adjacent mullion of a second sliding window. The body and screw member are of preferably resilient plastic material such that the screw and body member may be assembled merely by flexing the body member open. The screw member includes flat faced threads and angular root contours. The flat based threads engage a planar surface of the second mullion and a root surrounds a lip of the second mullion to provide a three point triangular engagement with the second window for secure locking. The body is elongated and includes a substantial length in interlocking relationship with the first mullion.

[ 1 May 28, 1974 41 SLIDING WINDOW LOCK Donald V. Kelly, 10642 Helendale, Tujunga, Calif. 91042 [22] Filed: Dec. 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 317,576

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 292/251, 292/337, 292/DIG. 33, 292/DIG. 38 [51] Int. Cl. E05c 5/04 [58] Field of Search 292/58, 251, 301, 341.19, 292/337, DIG. 20, DIG. 33, DIG. 38, DIG.

Primary Examiner-Joseph I-Iv McGlynn Assistant ExaminerRichard P. Tremblay Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn E. Wagner [57] ABSTRACT A lock mechanism for sliding windows including a body portion which engages one track in the mullion of one of a pair of sliding window members and also including a screw member which advances out of the body and into engagement with a recess in the adjacent mullion of a second sliding window. The body and screw member are of preferably resilient plastic material such that the screw and body member may be assembled merely by flexing the body member open. The screw member includes flat faced threads and angular root contours. The flat based threads engage a planar surface of the second mullion and a root surrounds a lip of the second mullion to provide a three point triangular engagement with the second window for secure locking. The body is elongated and includes a substantial length in interlocking relationship with the first mullion. 7

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SLIDING wnvnow LOCK BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION A modern day counterpart of the Conventional double-hung window might be said to be a horizontal sliding glass window employing metal, preferably aluminum frames. Such windows provide an attractive aphung window is that the windows may be opened from 1 either end to provide room circulation from two ends of the window.

One problem isto-produce an attractive unobtrusive locking mechanism for'the windows when-closed. Typical prior art locks include a springloaded plunger secured to one frame which'en'gages a serrated track in the second mullion. Such a lock resists horizontal movement but can be opened easily through'the use of a shim introduced into the crack between the twooverlapping windows. Typically thistypeo'f lock does not provide any positive locki'ng'betweenthe twowindows, only the spring loaded force of the plunger against the second window.'Other-types'of locks,of a-positive type,-

similar to the-double hung window cam lock become either complicated or-extend intothe view area of the window or areparticularly unattractive.

BRIEF, DESCRIPTION OF THEINVENTION Giventhe foregoing background of the invention it is a principal object of thisinve'ntiontofprovide an improved lock for slidingwindows.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 with the screw operator in a withdrawn position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the lock of this invention;

FIG. 6 is'a perspective view of the lock of FIG. 5 with the body portion flexed to demonstrate the method of assembly;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a window incorporating a pair of locks of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a window illustrating the mobility of the lock of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now refer to FIG. 1 in which a metal, preferrably alu- 5 minum, frame window, generally designated 10, may

be seen. It includes an outer frame 11 including a pair of parallel tracks at the top and bottom and unshown in the drawing in which a pair of individual window units 12 and 13 slide horizontally. The window units 12 and 13 each include their own individual frame including a pair of adjacent mullions 14 and 15 which appear in semi-overlapping position when the windows 12 and 13 are closed as in FIG. 1. The windows 12 and 13 are held securely in closed position by lock assembly 16 better seen in FIG. 2 and succeeding figures of the drawing. The lock assembly l6'serves to prevent the windows from being opened from the opposite side and A more specific object is to achieve-a-positive locking mechanism which is'substantiallyburglar proof.

Another object of the invention is to achieve a lock which mechanically biases'the two windowparts together to minimize drafts through-the crack between the two windows.

These objects are all accomplished in accordance with this invention comprising two simple plastic parts cooperating with the adjacent mullions of two window panels. The lock comprisesa body having an elongated interlocking portion engaging the groove in the mullion to provide firm contactover an elongated area. The second part of the lock is a screw lockingdevice including an integral handle and athreaded portion with a contourwhich firmly engages a flat surface and an overhanging lip of the-adjacent mullion of the second window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing brief description of the invention may be more fully unde'rstoodwith-the following detailed description and'by refer'e'n'ceto the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a horizontal metal frame window employing' thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary-portion of the locking mechanism of the window of FIG. 1;"

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the mullions of the window of FIG. 1 taken in the direction of 3--3 of FIG. I;

15, thereby adding no additional obstruction to the also to mechanically bias'the two adjacent edges of the windows 12 and 13 together to minimize or eliminate any draft or precipitation from entering through the inwindow 12 when in unlocked position.

Now referring to FIG. 2 specifically, the mullion members 14 and '15 may be seen to be metal shapes preferably of extruded aluminum with recesses, for example, recess 20 in mullion 15 for holding a glass of window unit 13. The two mullions 14 and 15 have an interface region 21 which preferably includes a seal or gasket member unshown in this figure, but better seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing. This gasket may be of felt or of some elasimeric material filling the interface gap 21. v

The lock 16 may be seen to comprise two parts, a body portion 22 and a screwlock portion 23 including a multiface handle portion 24. The screw portion 23 includes integral threads 25 better seen in succeeding drawings but appearing in- FIG. 2 as entering a groove 26 in mullion 15. Similarly the body portion 22 of the lock 16 rests over a slot 30 in mullion l4 and includes an interlocking key portion best seen in succeeding figures and not appearing in FIG. 2 engaging the groove 30. In FIG. 2 the lock 16 may be seen as unobtrusive and of lesser lateral dimension than the mullions 14 and view through the window. The multiple facets of the handle portion 24 of the lock 16 allows a grasping of 'the lock for engagement and disengagement and for and 2. The threaded portion 25 of the screw member 23 extends into a longitudinal groove 26 of the mullion 15. This longitudinal groove is generally square in shape with one-half wall defined by overhanging lip 34. The screw operator 25 of the lock can be noted as having basically square ridged screw threads providing greater strength and tapered walls which correspond to the taper on the back side of the half wall portion 34 of mullion 15. In the lock position as shown in FIG. 3, firm solid engagement exists between the head and second turn of the screw operator 25 against the wall 35 of the groove 26. A side wall of the first turn of the screw operator 25 securely engages the back side of the wall 34 thereby providing solid three-point engagement between the screw operator 25 and the mullion 15. We have found that with this contour including the flat threads and tapered wall corresponding to the groove 26 and the straight wall 35 that a solid engagement between the lock 16 and the mullion l5 exists which can be disturbed from the outside of the glass only by force of such intensity which would cause breaking of the frame and the panes. No simple shim inserted in the groove 21 or pressure applied normal to the surface of the panes will serve to release the lock member. The window must be shattered before it will be opened with the lock 16 engaged.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two mullions 14v and 15 and their respective glass panes l2 and 13 are mechanically biased together thereby minimizing drafts. A seal 40 in the form of a felt strip with metal backing is positioned in a key lock arrangement in a groove of mullion 14 facing the gap 21. It should be noted that the force from the lock is applied directly to the back wall of the groove holding the seal 40 for maximum local pressure.

FIG. 4 shows a lock 16 withdrawin by unscrewing the multifacet handle portion 24 in the direction of the arrow. It should be noted that the rear end of the screw portion 25 is not threaded and when unscrewed in the direction shown the threaded portion is totally withdrawn within the body 22 with only a slight portion of the head exposed. In this position the handle portion 24 spins freely in one direction and the two mullions 14 and 15 are free to move in the directions of the double arrow. The lock body remains engaged by its key interlock 31 to the mullion 14. The handle portion 24 can act as the handle for moving the window secured to mullion 14.

H6. 5 shows the lock of this invention in exploded form. It should be noted that lock body 22 is discontinuous having a bottom slot 42 extending transverse to its length for use in assembly as illustrated in FIG. 6. The interlock key portions 31a and 31b may be more clearly seen in this FIG. 5 providing a relatively long area of engagement of the lock body 22 and its associated mullion 14. The key portions 31a and 31b also constitute stiffeners for the lock body 22 in the area subject to stress when the lock is in place on the window.'The lock body 22 as is apparent includes a hole 43 therethrough having three segments extending into the hole 43. These three segments 44, 45 and 46 are associated in operation with the screw portion 25 and screw operator 23. Segment 44 is a thread segment which engages the threads 25 of the screw operator 24 causing it to advance or return into locking position. Segments 45 and 46 constitute stops against which the innermost turn of screw portion 25 engage when the screw operator is withdrawn; The segment 45 and 46 prevent the total disengagement of the screw operator 24 from the body 22. The length of thread portion 25 of the screw operator 24 is equal to the axial distance between thread segment 44 and the segments 45 and 46 so that upon full withdrawing of the operator 24 this member is free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction but upon clockwise movement it engages segment 44 and is advanced through the hole 43 into engagement with the mullion 15 as is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. The entire lock mechanism is made of two members as is apparent in FIG. 5. It is also apparent by reference to FIG. 6 that no assembly members are required to hold the operator 24 and lock body 22 together. The lock body 22 includes a thin web portion 50 and when the body 22 is made of elastomeric material or flexible plastic material or conceivably of spring metal material it may beflexed by application of finger pressure as shown in FIG. 6 to open the groove 42 and allow the screw operator 24 to be inserted into the opening 43. The fact that the threads 44 and stop members 45 and 46 are segmented facilitates this flex or distortion of the body to allow assembly. This simple feature is largely responsible for the low cost of the lock of this invention without impairment of its utility.

As shown in FIG. 1 and 3, locks in accordance with this invention apply local pressure between the mullions l4 and 15. ln certain applications, multiple locks may be desired and in order to maximize protection and to apply greater pressure into the seal to minimize any air leakage or precipitation.'This can simply be done by the addition of additional locks 16a and 16b as shown in FlG. 7. Additional locks 16a and 16b are merely slipped on the end of the mullion 14 into the groove 30 of FIG. 1. As many locks as might be desired might be added to a single window.

Similarly, it is often advantageous that the lock mechanism may be moved to a different position. For example, if the window is located at average height the lock may be located in the center as shown in FIG. 1. On certain occassions, high windows are used and it is more convenient that the lock be located at the bottom. This may be accomplished merely by withdrawing or unlocking the screw operator 23 and applying vertical pressure to that operator 23 causing the body to slide to a new position. This can be done by the home owner at any time if his needs should change. This is illustrated in FIG. 8 sliding or movement of the lock in no way impairs its locking capability.

The above described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. The scope of this invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the following claims, including their equivalents.

What is claimed is:

1. A window assembly comprising at least two panes;

frame members positioning said panes for at least one member pane to slide by the other pane;

said frames including a pair of mullions positioned in juxtaposition when said window is in closed condition;

the first of said mullions including a track;

the second of said mullions including a recess including at least one overhanging lip;

l a lock assembly for said windows including a body portion in slidable engagement along the track of said first mullion; said lock assembly including a screw member rotatably supported by said body and advancable into engagement with the second mullion;

said screw member including an extended thread portion dimensioned to enter said recess of said second mullion including a root contour of the said threadportion of said screw member substantially conforming to the cross section of said lip to lock said first mullion from relative movement when said screw member is advanced into engagement with said lip.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first mullion includes an elongated track and said body portion of said lock assembly includes an integral tang engaging said track.

3. Window assembly comprising at least two panes;

frame members positioning said panes for at least one member pane to slide by the other pane;

said frames including a pair of mullions positioned in juxtaposition when said window is in closed conditron;

the first of said mullions including a track;

the second of said mullions including a recess including at least one overhanging lip; a lock assembly for said windows including a body portion engaging a track of said first mullion; said lock assembly including a screw member rotatably supported by said body and advancable into engagement with the second mullion;

said screw member including an extendable thread portion dimensioned to enter said recess of said second mullion including a root portion of the thread portion of said screw member substantially conforming to the cross section of said lip to lock said first mullion from relative movement when said screw member is advanced into engagement with said lip;

wherein said body portion includes an opening therethrough including a transverse slot and a pair of mounting portions embracing said slot, said body being of material having sufficient resilience to allow said body to be flexed outward sufficiently to allow said body portion and screw member to be assembled, said pair of mounting portions including aligned tang portions when said body is undistorted which engage said track and maintain said body and screw member in rotational relationship.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said body includes an internal thread extending partly through said opening and a stop portion which prevents the withdrawal of said screw member by unscrewing said member from said body.

5. The combination in accordance with. claim 4 wherein said stop portion comprises at least one segment axially spaced from said internal thread a sufficient distance to allow the end of said screw member to be withdrawn from said mullion.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said internal thread is located within said opening a sufficient distance from the face of said body adjacent to said second mullion that the screw member disengages said internal thread before reaching the end of its travel in a locking direction whereby said first and second mullions are drawn together.

7. A screw lock assembly comprising:

a body including an opening therethrough;

the walls of said body including internal threads;

a screw operator including a knob portion and a threaded body portion;

said threaded body portion engaging the internal threads of said body to advance and retract said screw operator into and out of said body; said body being of resilient material and including a slot communicating with the opening therethrough whereby said body may be flexed open to assembly said body and screw operator;

said body including mounting means on each side of said slot whereby said body and slot are maintained in substantially closed position about said screw operator.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of enlarged end key portions aligned and defining an elongated discontinuous locking section.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein the internal threads of said body extend only part way through the opening in said body whereby said screw operator may disengage the internal threads of said opening while still positioned within said opening.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said opening include stop means in said opening engagable with the threads of said screw operator when the threads of said screw operator disengage the threads of said opening whereby said screw operator may turn freely within said body when partially withdrawn.

' 11. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said body in the region of said opening includes a thin web portion capable of distortion by finger pressure applied to said mounting means to open said slot, said internal threads and stop being discontinuous to assist flexural distortion. 

1. A window assembly comprising at least two panes; frame members positioning said panes for at least one member pane to slide by the other pane; said frames including a pair of mullions positioned in juxtaposition when said window is in closed condition; the first of said mullions including a track; the second of said mullions including a recess including at least one overhanging lip; a lock assembly for said windows including a body portion in slidable engagement along the track of said first mullion; said lock assembly including a screw member rotatably supported by said body and advancable into engagement with the second mullion; said screw member including an extended thread portion dimensioned to enter said recess of said second mullion including a root contour of the said thread portion of said screw member substantially conforming to the cross section of said lip to lock said first mullion from relative movement when said screw member is advanced into engagement with said lip.
 2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first mullion includes an elongated track and said body portion of said lock assembly includes an integral tang engaging said track.
 3. Window assembly comprising at least two panes; frame members positioning said panes for at least one member pane to slide by the other pane; said frames including a pair of mullions positioned in juxtaposition when said window is in closed condition; the first of said mullions including a track; the second of said mullions including a recess including at least one overhanging lip; a lock assembly for said windows including a body portion engaging a track of said first mullion; said lock assembly including a screw member rotatably supported by said body and advanCable into engagement with the second mullion; said screw member including an extendable thread portion dimensioned to enter said recess of said second mullion including a root portion of the thread portion of said screw member substantially conforming to the cross section of said lip to lock said first mullion from relative movement when said screw member is advanced into engagement with said lip; wherein said body portion includes an opening therethrough including a transverse slot and a pair of mounting portions embracing said slot, said body being of material having sufficient resilience to allow said body to be flexed outward sufficiently to allow said body portion and screw member to be assembled, said pair of mounting portions including aligned tang portions when said body is undistorted which engage said track and maintain said body and screw member in rotational relationship.
 4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said body includes an internal thread extending partly through said opening and a stop portion which prevents the withdrawal of said screw member by unscrewing said member from said body.
 5. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said stop portion comprises at least one segment axially spaced from said internal thread a sufficient distance to allow the end of said screw member to be withdrawn from said mullion.
 6. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said internal thread is located within said opening a sufficient distance from the face of said body adjacent to said second mullion that the screw member disengages said internal thread before reaching the end of its travel in a locking direction whereby said first and second mullions are drawn together.
 7. A screw lock assembly comprising: a body including an opening therethrough; the walls of said body including internal threads; a screw operator including a knob portion and a threaded body portion; said threaded body portion engaging the internal threads of said body to advance and retract said screw operator into and out of said body; said body being of resilient material and including a slot communicating with the opening therethrough whereby said body may be flexed open to assembly said body and screw operator; said body including mounting means on each side of said slot whereby said body and slot are maintained in substantially closed position about said screw operator.
 8. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of enlarged end key portions aligned and defining an elongated discontinuous locking section.
 9. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein the internal threads of said body extend only part way through the opening in said body whereby said screw operator may disengage the internal threads of said opening while still positioned within said opening.
 10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said opening include stop means in said opening engagable with the threads of said screw operator when the threads of said screw operator disengage the threads of said opening whereby said screw operator may turn freely within said body when partially withdrawn.
 11. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said body in the region of said opening includes a thin web portion capable of distortion by finger pressure applied to said mounting means to open said slot, said internal threads and stop being discontinuous to assist flexural distortion. 